It's time for all Australians to unite behind the Socceroos

* David Hall
* From: News Limited newspapers
* June 18, 2010 5:13AM


QUESTION: what do you really want to read about the Socceroos at the World Cup? Friendly stories that maintain a positive image of life in training, or independent reporting and comment on the issues and problems that arise when a team is performing below its best?

As a journalist I understand that the public has a right - and a desire - for news and analysis of Australia's progress in South Africa.

But as a fan it pains me to watch the way the intense media interest in the squad seems to have quickly turned so sour.

There is no doubt the Australian football team are truly grade-one back-page fodder but, as with every sport, the majority of such stories are not pretty. The "bad news is good news" cliche never rings truer than in sport, particularly in a bloodthirsty market so riven with politics as Australia's.

Earlier this week, Harry Kewell confronted the Australian media in South Africa, searching out a particular journalist who had written a scathing article about his commitment and fitness. The story wasn't pretty but did have a certain cynical truth, and it's something I've heard plenty of fans say to their mates.

"You are all supposed to be on our team," Harry said to the pack of Aussie journos. "And it's a shame you are all having a go at us. You are all supposed to be here supporting us, making us feel good, and making us go out there and do our country proud."

Not likely, Harry. The press is not Football Federation Australia's marketing arm, as much as they'd like us to be.

There is obviously something going on with the Australian squad, as consistent reports of disharmony continue to leak out. Footballers will always toe the party line on the record, but when the recorders are off, plenty of them are happy to let their feelings be known and their own agendas pushed. You can't have it one way and not the other.

However, what good does it do for the Australian press to stir up ill-feeling and pressure on a team they supposedly support and want to succeed? Many senior and so-called respected media pundits have been on the Socceroos' back ever since Pim Verbeek took the reins.

And the players, bearing the brunt of what they see as unfair criticism, have become increasingly unhappy with the Australian football media.

The Dutchman's unattractive - some say "un-Australian" - tactics have given plenty of cause for complaint, and there's nothing journalists love more. Qualifying for the World Cup just isn't enough for some people. No, Australia has to do it with a style comparable to the best football teams on the planet, nations with decades of development and far deeper talent pools than ours.

The truth, as most fans seem to recognise, is that Australia doesn't have a divine right to be at the World Cup and we should just be grateful that we're there at all, getting behind our team when they need it most.

I should state two things at this point. Firstly, I'm not in South Africa, so I don't know what's really going on.

I'm reading the reports as they come in, just like every other supporter. Secondly, I work for News Limited, an organisation many fans believe has a vendetta against the round-ball game. I can categorically deny this. Certain individuals may not like football, but there are plenty who do. Press coverage of soccer in Australia has increased dramatically in recent years but broader public interest is still below that of the other codes.

I love football and am 100 per cent behind the Socceroos - but just like the guys in South Africa I have a job to do, and that means covering all that goes on with the team, good and bad.

On this website, we've taken the choice to get behind the boys. We'll report it when things go wrong but now is not the time to start picking at scabs and digging up dirt. Now is the time to show your support for the Socceroos.

Go to our Fan Zone section and write a message of support to the Socceroos. Let them know no matter what's written in the press everyone else back here just wants them to do their best. And that starts by getting our World Cup back on track against Ghana this weekend.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/its-time-for-all-australians-to-unite-behind-the-socceroos/story-fn5cb7q4-1225881152823